Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the establishment of special farms to raise imported livestock for export to boost the country's livestock exports.

He was chairing a review meeting regarding reforms in the livestock sector in Islamabad today.

The Prime Minister also approved restructuring the livestock sector on corporate lines and preparing and implementing reforms with the expertise of private-sector professionals.

Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities to establish special farms for cattle exports. He said superior-breed and high-yielding livestock should be imported and raised at these farms for export. He further directed that the import of livestock for these farms be made duty-free.

He directed the introduction of a modern tagging system to ensure that livestock raised at these farms is exported.

The Prime Minister said the livestock sector should be reorganised on modern and corporate lines, while private-sector expertise should be utilised for this purpose.

He said more than 60 percent of the country's agriculture sector is based on livestock, which has significant potential for exports.

Shehbaz Sharif directed that an action plan with specific targets for eliminating foot-and-mouth disease from the country be prepared and submitted within two weeks.

He also directed that international certification of slaughterhouses across the country be ensured, along with third-party validation to ensure compliance with international standards.

The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to work with provincial governments to eliminate diseases affecting livestock.

He further directed that the entire value chain be improved to promote the meat and livestock export industry and asked the authorities to set and present export targets for meat, livestock and related products.

The meeting was briefed that Pakistan has around 245 million head of livestock with a total estimated value of 5.5 trillion rupees. The livestock sector contributes 14.97 percent to the national economy and 63.6 percent to the agricultural economy, while the country produces around 74.69 million tonnes of milk and 6.31 million tonnes of meat annually.

It was informed that around 8 million rural households are associated with livestock. However, small-scale livestock farming and fragmented supply chains are limiting the sector's export potential.

The meeting was informed that Pakistan has significant potential to further increase its meat exports. Meat exports stood at around 530 million dollars during the last fiscal year, with the bulk of exports going to Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.

Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, China and other countries were identified as promising new and expanded markets.

The meeting was also briefed on government measures to increase livestock and meat exports. These include animal disease surveillance and traceability, the establishment of foot-and-mouth disease-free zones and compartments, vaccination and digital disease surveillance, export-grade farms, and international health and halal certification systems.

The government is also focusing on promoting feedlot farming, cold chains, deboning, value-added products and export infrastructure, with a target to further increase meat exports by 2028.